The conflicts between IFRS for SMEs and the Swedish Annual Reports Act (English)

Abstract [en]

Objective: The study will identify where conflicts between SMEs and the Annual ReportsAct exists to find out if there is a need for adaptation of Swedish accounting to achieveinternational comparability.

Method: A descriptive method was used to make the regulations in IFRS for SMEs and ÅRLequivalent and to observe the differences between the regulations a comparative method wasused. After this the conflicts could be sorted out with the help of the former so called “IASinvestigation”.The conflicts and differences then were categorized into the approach theyrelated to, with

Frame of reference: The frame for the study is recognition and valuation for collecting andanalysing the data. The approaches are presented for the balance sheet and income statementapproaches as they form the basis for analysis. Annual Reports Act, the EG-directives and theK3-projects are described as they have a central role in the background to the study andfurther understanding of the data. “IAS- utredningen” is described in order to distinguishconflicts from differences that do not entail conflicts. Finally, the harmonization process ispresented for its central role in the study.

Data: Data in the study reflect areas in which the differences in the regulations are reflected.

Results: The study has concluded that there are several differences between the regulations,both in recognition and valuation. In general most differences in valuation have resulted inconflicts that have been linked to either the balance sheet approach or the income statementapproach. As for recognition, half of the differences consisted of those that led to conflictsand the other half that not has led to such conflicts. The connection to the approaches has notbeen clear in these areas even if they could be seen. SMEs have shown a clear move towardsthe balance sheet approach, primarily for valuation. In this case conflicts need to be addressedat a higher level. On the contrary Annual Reports Act is advocating the income approach to alarger extent for the same conflicts. The regulations will not be able to operate with oneanother without adjustments. The K3-project will be the place for these adjustments.